Ill. applies for 3rd round of Race to the Top cash

CHICAGO (AP) – Federal officials say Illinois has completed its application for a share of $200 million in education funding.

The U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday that Illinois is among seven states that have submitted applications in the third round of the Race to the Top program.

States will split the award money based on their population.

Round three of the program focuses on improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

The education department says the other states that completed their applications are: Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

South Carolina opted out of the program and California submitted an incomplete application.

Awards will be announced in late December.

Cocaine related charge for Ottawa man

A man in Ottawa began his Thanksgiving Day with a trip to the La Salle County Jail.  Tracy Tiptom was arrested early Thursday morning for possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

Streator man accused of selling drugs in Ottawa

Police think there is one less drug dealer on the streets of Ottawa.  Members of the drug team TRIDENT Tuesday arrested Lettitto Oliver of Streator Tuesday because they say he sold heroin to someone working undercover.

Oliver was charged with Unlawful Delivery of Controlled Substance and was taken to the La Salle County Jail.